Top five Syracuse football seasons of the 21st century
2. 2001
This season was before my time watching Syracuse football, but it was too good to ignore.
The Orange went 10-3 and won the insight bowl, making it one of their most successful seasons of all time, not just the past 20 years.
Led by head coach Paul Pasqualoni, SU had a stifling defense, ranked 16th nationally. They were average offensively, but the quirks of quarterbacks R.J. Anderson and Troy Nunes threw opposing defenses for a loop, while running back James Mungro feasted on the ground for 14 touchdowns and 1,170 yards.
What really sticks out about this season is the competition the Orange faced while still being able to post a 10-win season. The ‘Cuse started out with back-to-back top-10 opponents, in No. 10 Georgia Tech and No. 8 Tennessee. The Orange really didn’t have a chance in either game, but it made them tougher, as they strung together eight straight wins.
The eight game winning streak featured its own challenges too. It included Auburn and Pitt teams that finished 7-5, and a win over then No. 5 Virginia Tech. Even after No. 14 Syracuse was blatantly embarrassed by No. 1 Miami (Fla), 59-0 – the site of College GameDay – the Orange rebounded to take down No. 25 Boston College the following week.
Syracuse finished the season with an impressive 26 to 3 Insight Bowl victory over Kansas State, capping off their sixth 10-win season in program history.
Considering the three losses – albeit were all blowouts – happened in two road and neutral games against top ten ranked teams, it was a very successful year for Syracuse football.